Monmouth Festival of the Arts Begins This Weekend

One of the area's largest juried art shows is returning to Tinton Falls this weekend.

The 42nd Monmouth Festival of Arts (MFA) will take place from Saturday, May 5, through Wednesday, May 9, at the Monmouth Reform Temple on Hance Avenue in Tinton Falls.

The MFA supports artists and art education and over 200 artists from all over the northeast will be on  hand to display their work which includes jewelry, ceramics, sculptured art, oils, watercolor, pastels, mixed media and fine crafts. 

Daily ticket prices are $8 for adults, and discounted $5 for senior citizens and students. A series ticket for Sunday through Wednesday can be purchased for $18.

Festival hours are noon -8:30 p.m. on Sunday and 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 7 and May 8 and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 9. Large groups are welcome during the week and should contact Karen Greco at 732-796-9240.

Patrons attending the Opening Gala on Saturday evening will enjoy cocktails, hors d'œuvre from local chefs and pastry and coffee alfresco.

The Gala presents patrons with a first opportunity to purchase the most popular art and to meet the many artists in attendance that evening and runs from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Tickets for the Gala are $65 at the door or $60 if purchased earlier.

During the week, guests can also attend several demonstrations given by the artists on the technique of their craft offered during day and evening sessions. MFA also offers a day-long symposium for art educators which provides teachers with lesson plans and techniques for use in the classroom, as well as providing the opportunity to earn required continuing education credits.

A special student-artist display will show the artwork of 11th grade students who won the top awards at the Student Art Competition held in February and included entries from many area high schools.

The Monmouth Festival of the Arts is hosted by Monmouth Reform Temple and is made possible, in part, by the Monmouth County Arts Council through funding from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the County Historical Commission, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.